Page 12 - Consumer Guide News Today

Published January 02. 2021 12:01AM  By Bob Weber, Tribune News Service Q: I bought new a 2018 Mazda6, 4-cylinder turbo. The specs call for semi-synthetic oil. Everyone who I know with auto expertise thinks I should use full synthetic, even a former engineer friend from GM. The tech personnel at my local dealership, including the manager, tell me to follow the specifications recommended. I called the engineering department at Mazda Corp. and a technical representative said, "stick with what you...

Motormouth: Faulty brake light? An anti-lock brake system provides significant safety, especially in slippery conditions, but under normal conditions, however, the ABS does not kick in. (Dreamstime/TNS) Published December 26. 2020 12:01AM  By Bob Weber, Tribune News Service Q: I have a 2002 Lexus ES300 with 185,000 miles on it. Some time ago, the ABS and brake light came on simultaneously. I took it to my local shop who diagnosed a faulty ABS sensor. They said that I did not really need to rep...

2021 Tahoe and Suburban Are Consumer Guide Best Buys Photo: General Motors Consumer Guide named the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Chevrolet Suburban to its list of the 2021 Best Buys in the large SUVs category. The editors found that the SUVs were valuable options, thanks to their spacious designs, strong performance, and high-end trim offerings. Photo: Chevrolet Chevrolet redesigned the Tahoe and Suburban for the 2021 model year, adding new features and increasing their sizes. With the rear se...

Motormouth: Spark plug problem Mechanics used to apply anti-seize compound to the spark plug threads (some still do), but most plugs are treated and no longer require the stuff. (Dreamstime/TNS) Published December 19. 2020 12:01AM  By Bob Weber, Tribune News Service Q: In a recent column you responded to R.W. from Minnetonka, Minn., that he should not need spark plug replacement of the platinum tipped plugs until the manufacturer recommended 60,000 miles. One thing that is often not considered...

AG Utility Imposter Scams Have you ever received a call from a utility company claiming that your bill is overdue and if you don’t pay now, your power, heat or water will be turned off? That is the last thing you want in Michigan’s cold winters or hot summers. Scammers know this and will pose as utility company employees to trick you into providing money, personal or financial information.  Michigan consumers are targeted by Utility Imposter Scams every day and increase as we approach...

Nissan Rogue and Versa Earn 2021 Best Buy Awards Photo: Nissan Nissan has plenty to celebrate this season. Both the all-new 2021 Nissan Rogue and 2021 Nissan Versa earned Best Buy awards from Consumer Guide Automotive. This is a repeat for the Versa, which took home the award in the Compact Car category last year. The Nissan Rogue is super familiar with the honor, as the well-equipped model has a seven-year winning streak in the Compact Crossover category from the publication. 2021 Nissan Rogue...

Kia Receives Four 2021 Consumer Guide Best Buy Awards Photo: Kia Consumer Guide has been providing reviews for the auto industry since 1967 and made its way online in 1995. Each year, the editors at CG test drive over 150 new vehicles and assess their fuel economy, price, performance, interior features, reliability, and resale value. For 2021, four Kia vehicles have been named Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award winners. “Claiming four 2021 Best Buy awards reflects Kia’s commitment to ...

Use of social media. we know a lot about this from the mueller report. fast forward to now. there is so much disinformation out on social media platforms. it is very difficult to parse out what would be russia, iran or china. two other countries well look at in this product or any domestic activity. when you look at this going back to the last election and as you put very appropriately in the opening here, vladimir putin doesnt hide who they like or who they dont like. if you read who the russia...

The way in disinformation and use of social media. we know a lot about this from the mueller report. fast forward to now. there is so much disinformation out on social media platforms, its very difficult to parse out what would be russia, iran, or china, two other countries well look at in this project, or any domestic influence activity. so whats remarkable, when you look at this, going back to the last election, as you put very appropriately, in the opening here, vladimir putin doesnt hide who...

Use of social media. we know a lot about this from the mueller report. fast-forward to now. there is so much disinformation out on social media platforms. its very difficult to parse out what would be russia, iran, or china, two other countries well look at in this project, or any domestic influence activity. and so, whats remarkable, when you look at this, going even back to the last election, and as you put very appropriately, in the opening here, vladimir putin doesnt hide who they like or wh...